POLY(2,2-DIMETHYLTRIMETHYLENE ETHYLSILOXANE)-BLOCK-POLY(2,2-DIMETHYLTRIMETHYLENE CARBONATE) - SYNTHESIS AND THERMAL-PROPERTIES

Lithium salts of hydroxytelechelic poly(dimethylsiloxane) [poly-(DMS)] were used as initiators for the anionic ring-opening polymerization o f 2,2-dimethyltrimethylene carbonate (DTC). Triblock copolymers were o btained in high yields. Complexation of the active site in DTC polymer ization by the poly(DMS) chain leads to a decrease in polymerization r ate. The thermal properties of the copolymers of different composition s were determined. Catalysed thermal degradation of the block copolyme rs leads to cyclic oligomers D(n) and DTC upon ring-closing depolymeri zation.